Argentine artist Cynthia Nudel is transforming eggshell waste and algae into a series of sculptural biodegradable designs. The project, called Bioceramics (It’s not trash, it’s art!) suggests a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ceramics, uniting Nudel’s passion for the craft with her goal to minimize impact on the environment.
Now based in Spain, the designer uses locally found, pre-used organic waste, to create a series of sustainable vases and pots which “are inspired by nature, and speak of people’s disconnect with it. While black tones symbolize destruction and hues of green evoke nature, whites reflect purity and earth tones remind us of our essence”. In addition, each piece disintegrates and returns back to the earth at the end of its lifespan, closing the circle.
This project consolidates two of the designer’s concerns. She unites her passion for traditional ceramics and her respect for the environment and a zero-waste philosophy.
“Unfortunately, traditional ceramics is an activity that requires extracting clay, sometimes using chemical glazes and, most importantly, high energy consumption when using a kiln. Is there an alternative that can overcome these disadvantages?” asked Cynthia Nudel.
As a result of her search for a solution, the designer was introduced to the world of biomaterials where bioplastics or biotextiles often present viable alternatives to traditional materials, avoiding highly polluting processes.
The ‘Bioceramics’ collection is Inspired by biocomposites, a rigid and resistant material. To produce the collection, Nudel substituted clay for powdered eggshells found in a local bakery along with sodium alginate from brown algae, and used calcium carbonate as reinforcement. The traditional ceramic glazes to finish the pieces have been replaced with natural pigments made from waste found in the designer’s environment, such as eucalyptus bark or yerba mate remains. Nudel further notes that the most impactful aspect of bioceramics is its drying process which takes place at room temperature, eliminating the need to dry the pieces in a kiln, and largely reducing its environmental impact.
